Tufted annual 1-6 dm; sheaths hispid-hirsute to subglabrous; larger blades 5-12 cm נ3-5 mm, hairy or scabrous at least along the margins; spikelets 7-15 mm, in 1-3 clusters (or solitary); scales 2.5-3.5 mm, the usually 3 strong median nerves convergent and exserted to form a recurved-spreading awn nearly as long as the scale; bristles retrorsely barbellate, reaching at least to the base of the pet-blades, these ovate, slenderly incurved into an apical bristle; anther 1, 0.5-0.7 mm; 2n=46. Moist to wet, usually sandy places, sometimes weedy; Mass. to Fla. and Tex., chiefly on and near the coastal plain, and disjunct to s. Mich. and n. Ind.

This sedge is very local, having been found in only a few places in two counties. It grows in moist sand in interdunal swamps and in wet sand on the borders of lakes. I found it to be rather frequent in wet sand on the south side of Walker Lake in Porter County.